Just do it

Amateurs worry about equipment, 
Professionals worry about money, 
Masters worry about light, 
I just make pictures! 
– Vernon Trent

Visual artist, Trent’s famous quote captures the choice of attitudes for not only photographers but all other professions and activities. He articulates the dilemma of the amateur as well as the master and the professional. So often, in the quest for excellence, we are paralysed by inaction. 

The crippling motives could range from concerns of the availability and quality of resources (worry about equipment), to the desired benefits (worry about money) to the vagaries of situational hurdles and problems. However, proactive persons ‘do it’, regardless of the resources, benefits or situation.

When we ‘do it’, we reach the crucial threshold point between planning and doing. We make the tipping transformation.  However, we need not totally ignore factors of material, money, etc. To fly, look beyond fetters. We must quit worrying and choose to ‘do it’!

At every crossroad of worry
just do it rather than be sorry!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Efficient? Effective?

A team is said to be efficient if it produces a product by optimizing resources, minimizing waste, using innovation, etc. However, if the product does not meet customer needs, it will not be considered effective as it is not achieving its intended goal.

 

Effectiveness refers to the degree to which one achieves objectives. It is about the outcome or impact of an action, process or system. It is also associated with quality, as it focuses on delivering high-quality results.

 

Efficiency refers to the optimal use of resources, such as time, money or energy. It is about reducing waste, minimizing costs and streamlining processes. It is associated with productivity… on maximizing output while minimizing input.

 

The key differences are on focus, outcome and priorities. Effectiveness focuses on achieving goals, while efficiency focuses on optimizing resources. Effectiveness is about impact, while efficiency is about the process. Effectiveness prioritizes quality while efficiency prioritizes productivity and resource optimization.

 

Effectiveness and efficiency are related but distinct concepts. By understanding the difference between them, individuals and teams can strive for both, achieving their desired goals while optimizing resources and processes.

 

Not only efficient, be effective too,

With goal clear and process anew!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Explore Neighbourhood

Yesterday, Samraat Club Mayem organised ‘Mayem Darshan’: a journey  across the village and its neighbourhood. We were taken to different spots, including a canoe ride across the river, and different members presented information and oral history. They compiled it into a booklet as well.

 

We love to travel and discover new places. We love to discover new spots and learn more about them. We pursue information, capture photos and videos, and seek out locals who can tell us more about the place. However, often we are ignorant of our own neighbourhood, its history and heritage.

 

Discovering our neighbourhood can be a fun and rewarding experience. We discover different spots to explore and get to know our local community. We take in the sights, sounds and smells of our locality. We can check out local markets and support small businesses and artisans.

 

The local story tellers make the discovery insightful. We learn about the things as they were before and we also see them as they are now. Realisation of reality can help necessary interventions for protection, restoration or conservation of our heritage.

 

By exploring our neighbourhood, we gain a deeper understanding of the community and its culture. We have opportunity to meet new people, try new things and make lasting connections. And then like the cheerful Samraats of Mayem, we can help locals as well as others to explore the neighbourhood.

 

Meet folks and heritage that’s getting dear

Explore your neighbourhood with a cheer!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Processions

Today, on the Monday before Palm Sunday, a procession featuring life-sized statues of saints and martyrs, is held from St Andrews Church in the village of Goa Velha. The ‘Santachem Pursanv’ brings together people across communities celebrating a sense of belonging and shared joy. 

But, we also see other processions that demonstrate dominance and create divisions between people.

A procession is a group moving in an orderly and solemn manner, often as part of a ceremony, celebration, or ritual. Processions are found in various cultures and contexts, including religious, cultural, funeral and parades on specials occasions.

 

Processions must ideally involve orderly movement and community participation. Since they venture into public space, they should be inclusive and create a collective sense of joy and participation.

 

There are processions that foster love and accept diversity. And there are others that derail humanity and trigger ‘othering’. We must ask ourselves which procession are we a part of: the one that brings people together or the one that seeks to create divisions?

 

Join processions with positive sway

That bring along joy to all on the way

~ Pravin K Sabnis

Clown

On World Theatre Day, Kala Academy Goa played host to Liberty Theatre - Georgia’s ‘The life of a clown!’ It was an unique and fascinating performance that combined physical comedy, improvisation and audience interaction.  

Besides applying makeup, wigs and costumes to transform into the clown character, the actors built connections with the audience, through slapstick humour, pranks and playful teasing. In the end, they threw smashed fruits and water at the audience.

 

Audience response to clowns can vary greatly, ranging from delight and laughter to aggression and hostility. Cultural background and media frenzy

can influence audience perceptions and reactions. Clowns who are overly aggressive, loud, or physical may provoke negative reactions.

 

Audience needs to be open minded to accept the clowning as a creative performance. Otherwise it will stifle the life of the clown and in turn be death knell for laughter, humour and expression. We must learn from the clown who starts with laughing first at himself.   

learn to laugh with glee,

at the clown’s silly spree.

laugh at self in time,

find joy in life's rhyme.

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Patience

The schedule to be in space for Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore was only for eight days. But they were stranded for over nine months… just waiting in the void of space, sans natural air, food or other living conditions. No definite possibilities as to when (or even if) they would make it back.

 

Their incredible story teaches us powerful lessons of resilience, determination, adaptability… the willingness to wait for the team to work on their return back home… of patience when plans don’t work!

 

So often, so many of us keep losing our patience when we are forced to wait due to delay of a few minutes or a few days. We get distressed over things we have no or little control of. We refuse to accept and stay calm in the situation of uncertainty. We get impatient!

 

We notice lack of patience in queues or in traffic jams or even in delayed responses to our communication. It gets worse when we see delays, roadblocks and thwarting of our plans. Interestingly, our predicament may be miniscule to that of the two astronauts. 

 

Next time, when we are stopped in our tracks and have to endure unexpected delays, let’s remember that we are not stranded in space. Let’s learn from the two astronauts to be positively patient and survive successfully.

wait with your grin while goals come in

no panic or fear, only patience sublime!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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Often

On the birth anniversary of my friend, Ravi Sirsat, I am reminded of his mantra to lose weight. Besides keeping off carbohydrates and doing regular exercise, he advised to eat more often. Instead of few heavy meals, he recommended to have small meals at regular intervals. 

This strategy to eat small portions of food throughout the day is called ‘grazing’. Benefits include improved digestion, boosted metabolism, reduced cravings and prevention of overeating. Everyone's nutritional needs are different and the best eating strategy may depend on individual needs.

 

Interestingly, this mantra works in other situations too. We tend to devote our attention and action in a single focus areas. We tend to lead lives with fewer priorities and end up blocking major portions of our time for fewer things. And in a tight schedule we end up not having time for other priorities. 

For instance, we find it difficult to see the time to devote to our hobbies or relationships or organisations. Else we end up giving too much time and often we end up feeling the strain of over participation. But, we can choose to allot smaller sets of time… on a regular basis!

Like overeating, overdoing anything can lead to strain, stress and a breakdown. Instead of fewer bursts of commitment, we must choose to indulge and involve more often in regular small sets of time… whether it is food, an organisation, a hobby or a relationship! 

Eat less but more often 
Strain will surely soften! 

~ Pravin K Sabnis

 

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